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Lilly set for MRI on Friday

Lilly set for MRI on Friday

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Ted Lilly

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LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers left-hander Ted Lilly, who hit the disabled list on May 24 with shoulder inflammation, said he will have an MRI exam on Friday and see if he will travel with the team on its upcoming road trip.

"My belief is pretty optimistic that it's not going to be something that is going to keep me out for a real long time," Lilly said.

Lilly has been taking anti-inflammatory medication for an injury he said he first felt after winning a May 18 start against St. Louis, and again after his first loss of the year in Arizona on May 24.

The 36-year-old lefty landed on the DL with shoulder injuries in 2009. He returned later that year, pitching in pain, before having arthroscopic surgery to clean up debris and labrum fraying in November. Lilly was on the DL to start this season and returned April 14. He's 5-1 with a 3.14 ERA.

As for Juan Rivera, manager Don Mattingly said the outfielder sounded a little sore after playing for Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday and woke up feeling tentative. He added there is no definite timetable and with happened to Matt Kemp reinjuring his leg, the team is taking a cautious approach bringing Rivera back.

"We're not going to say he's coming to Colorado and ready to go first day," Mattingly said. "We need to be patient with Juan and make sure we are as sure as we can that he is ready to go."

While Rivera woke up feeling tentative, Mattingly said Juan Uribe showed up Thursday feeling good after hitting batting practice on Wednesday and there's likely a rehab game down the road.

With more good news on the rehab front, trainer Sue Falsone and Mattingly both said Mark Ellis likely won't need additional surgeries at this time.